Why carrots grow crooked and horned: a nuance that everyone forgets

01.02.2023 11:25

Gardeners who have forgotten the intricacies of agricultural technology can only be surprised by the carrot harvest, which grows crooked or horned.

This is not a phenomenon or a varietal characteristic, but an elementary ignorance of one nuance concerning the cultivation of root crops.

Why do carrots grow crooked and horned?

In such a situation, the mistake made becomes clear when the time comes to harvest.

Instead of smooth, albeit not the largest carrots, summer residents pull out intricate fruits, almost twisted into a knot.

This is a sure sign that an important step was missed at a very early stage – thinning.

Carrot
Photo: © Belnovosti

Initially, carrots are sown quite densely, in case not all the seeds sprout.

But later you can't do without thinning, otherwise the fruits won't grow juicy, large and sweet. They simply won't have enough space and nutrition.

Therefore, when shoots appear on the beds, neighboring shoots are pulled out from the general row. Usually, the weakest ones are removed. The procedure is repeated after three weeks.

It is also important to remember that root crops love loose and clean soil - without stones and debris that interfere with the straight growth of the fruit.

Author: Igor Zur Internet resource editor